# Sam Darnold's Healthier Nicotine Pouch Company Targets 10-15% Market Share

> Skoka, backed by pro athletes, aims to disrupt Zyn's dominance with science-driven nicotine pouches by 2027.
- Title: Sam Darnold's Healthier Nicotine Pouch Company Targets 10-15%…
- Summary: Skoka, backed by pro athletes, aims to disrupt Zyn's dominance with science-driven nicotine pouches by 2027. Skoka, a $21m funded company with pro athlete…
- Keywords: skoka, zyn, nicotine pouch, pro athletes, phillip morris, us food and drug administration, pmarket tobacco product application, 2027, nicotine user, ingredient-conscious, Sam, Darnold's
- Source: Inc — https://inc.com/sam-blum/exclusive-can-a-healthier-nicotine-pouch-company-backed-by-pro-athletes-disrupt-zyns-dominance/91426708
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: skoka, zyn, nicotine pouch, pro athletes, phillip morris, us food and drug administration, pmarket tobacco product application, 2027, nicotine user, ingredient-conscious
## Skoka's Funding and Mission
Skoka, a Canadian ex-hockey player and serial founder, secured $21 million in funding to develop science-backed nicotine pouches targeting the $5 billion US market.
## Pro Athlete Backing
Skoka's cap table includes pro athletes like ex-NHL player Sam Gagner, LIV Golf's Anthony Kim, and Super Bowl winner Beau Allen who invested after trying the product.
## Scientific Approach
Skoka spent $15 million on proprietary blends rooted in science, targeting 10-15 percent of the ingredient-conscious nicotine user market.
## Regulatory Progress
Skoka submitted a PMTA to the US FDA covering 55 products across 11 varieties and five strengths, with two patent applications filed.
## Market Target
Skoka focuses on ingredient-conscious nicotine users, who make up a 10-15 percent share of the US $5 billion nicotine pouch market.
## Timeline for Launch
Skoka aims to hit shelves in 2027 after submitting regulatory applications and completing scientific testing.
## Background on Founder
Dan Aziz, a Canadian ex-hockey player and serial founder, previously sold his supplement brand Premama to Dr. Reddy's Laboratories in 2023.
## Competitive Landscape
Skoka competes with Zyn, a Phillip Morris subsidiary that dominates the $5 billion US nicotine pouch market.
## Regulatory Path
Skoka has filed two patent applications with the US Patent and Trademark Office to protect its proprietary nicotine pouch formulas.
## Key takeaway

Skoka, a $21m funded company with pro athlete backers, targets 10-15% of the US $5bn nicotine pouch market with ingredient-conscious products by 2027.